Google Search

Chelsea will this summer look to lure Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria to Stamford Bridge after the Argentine reportedly pulled out of contract negotiations with the Bernabeu side. Blues owner Roman Abramovich is keen to flex his financial muscle and will submit a significant bid for the 24 year old.

The former Benfica man had an excellent first season with the Spanish giants, notching up nine goals and 20 assists in all competitions but this term has not fared so well for the slightly built wide-man. Some have suggested that Di Maria’s busy summer with his national team at the Copa America may have taken the edge off his game and certainly the Real Madrid man has struggled to hit the highs of that first campaign.

This far this season Di Maria has started 17 of the club’s 43 matches in all tournaments and this has been partly down to a struggle to retain full fitness and partly to do with the fact that on occasion Jose Mourinho has opted to use Jose Callejon in the wide right position.

Angel Di Maria has still managed to provide 13 assist and six goals despite his reduced presence in the first team picture.

This uncertainty has led Angel Di Maria to stall on contract talks which has led to sustained interest from a number of club’s including Inter Milan, Juventus and now Chelsea.

The West London side are said to be willing to offer up to £30m for the Real Madrid man, who cost the La Liga leaders a fee of £22m in the summer of 2010.

Chelsea may feel they need fresh wide options as Florent Malouda is said to be likely to leave in the summer as Abramovich looks to trim his squad and plan for the future. Indeed the Russian may well be negotiating possible new additions with Roberto Di Matteo as the caretaker boss’s great start to life in charge of the club may well lead to a permanent job offer.

Daniel Sturridge’s reported irritation at playing in a wide role, instead of his preferred striking position, could add to the need to bring in more natural wide options to the club.